Saturday, August 31, 2019

Are you in a Lonesome Valley?



Lonesome Valley
chorus:
Well, you got to walk that lonesome valley
You got to walk it by yourself
Nobody here can walk it for you
You got to walk it by yourself
verses:
Now Daniel was a Bible hero
Was a prophet brave and true
In a den of hungry lions
He showed what faith can do for you
Now some folks say that John was a Baptist
Some folks say he was a Jew
But the holy Bible tells us
That he was a preacher, too
Now though the road be rough and rocky
And the hills be steep and high
We can sing as we go marching
And we’ll win that one big union by and by

Lyrics and band found on link above.
The song writer says you've got to walk that lonesome valley. All by yourself.
Is this really true?
It seems as though it is at various times in our lives.
A loved one dies. Divorce comes. Financial ruin. Family leaves you. Job loss. Depression that won't go away. A loved one goes into the depths of Alzheimer's.
But the truth of the matter is this: God walks with us in that lonesome valley if we let Him.
Perhaps we don't "feel" Him. We don't "see" Him, nor do we "hear" HIm.
That doesn't mean He's not walking beside you. He can be our quiet companion.
Walking with Him in His silence is a comforting, peaceful walk. 
I'm walking in that valley. He's silent as He walks with me. How about you?



Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Holy Humor

These jokes and Christian One Liners aren't original with me. They've been around a long time, but they still can make me smile.


Holy Humor

          A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"
          "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"
          “It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.”



          There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.
          "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
          "Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.





Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the
best of you;  remember,  Moses started out as a basket case.

 Chri


Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose,  but mosquitoes come close.




When you get to your wit's end,  you'll find God lives there.

People are funny;  they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church;  if it was perfect,  you couldn't belong.



If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead.  So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches;  what difference does it make which one you stay home from?!

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye  fishers of men.  You catch them - He'll clean them.




Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.




He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes  to..........discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

White, White, White


Don't wear white after September 1.  Are you familiar with that southern rule?

I've lived with it all my life, and as September approaches, I'm wondering who made that decree and why?

My mom and her sisters were sticklers about this dress code stipulation. After Labor Day, all our white clothing was hidden from view.

No one knows for sure why ladies don't wear snowy clothing or shoes when August ends. Some think the admonition was based on wealthy women wearing white in the early twentieth century. They could afford light weight fabrics such as linen, and they often chose white. The less fortunate, who wanted to appear rich, followed suit. By the middle of the century, fashion magazines advocated the "no white rule."


Back in that previous century, fashion designers, who wished to sell clothes, began to tout an all seasons wardrobe. They promoted heavier, darker fabrics for fall and winter. Lighter ones meant spring and summer.





And don't forget to hide the white shoes!  They are also an anathema after August 31st. I never liked them anyway. They make my feet look like large boats. If I wear a white dress or pants, I wear beige shoes. 

I have a confession to make. This past summer, I broke my "no white purse rule." I bought one. First one ever. Can you believe it? Well, it was large enough to carry the items I needed. I put it into the charity bag after about a month. It was a nice bag, but it was white. That white rule is deeply ingrained into my psyche.

I once bought a white bathing suit to take on vacation. Boy! Was that a colossal mistake. I wore it once and then threw that devious garment into the trash can. Here’s another helpful hint. Don’t ever wear a white t-shirt in the rain.

We had a cold front push through yesterday. The temperature dropped from 101 to 96 here in Houston. Our heat will stay with us through October. So.....why shouldn't we wear white longer than normal?  It's cooler, and with washing machines, white is easy to clean. Back in the old days, laundry was more complicated.

I'd like to wear my white, lightweight slacks, until November rolls around, but I won't. Sigh.


After all, I'm a southern girl. 




In my Sarah Series, Sarah, the haphazard angel, wears a white muslin robe. She wishs for colors and bling, but she hasn't earned the right to be sparkly yet. Perhaps in time. For now, she wears white. She also wants to learn to walk in red heels. Most of the time she's barefoot. Sarah follows a few rules, but she breaks others. Have you read any of my Sarah books? She makes you laugh.




Sunday, August 18, 2019

Houston Hot



It's that time of year again. My car often tells me I should have stayed inside and never ventured out. Centerpoint Energy phoned yesterday to ask us to use as little energy as possible. Less A/C, turn off lights, less cooking, etc.

I'm all for the don't cook in the kitchen part.

It's too hot to think of  preparing food. The only thing cooking around here is me. Somebody stick a fork in me. I'm done. Get me out of this intense heat.

A three digit temperature in Houston with our humidity can make one sick. 

I can't imagine people out in this weather, but many get out there and participate in outdoor activities.

I think they're crazy.

As I leave for church in a few minutes, I'll pass the golf course. Those golfers don't mind the heat as they chase that tiny ball around the course. I recently had one of the golfers explain to me that he couldn't come to church. The heat bothered him. Seriously?

I always dread August down here. These are the days I wish I had oodles of money and could spend six months in another location.

Of course, everything is relative. While traveling recently, I met a man coming to Houston from Iraq.  I said to him, "It's hot in your country, too." He said, "Yes, I come to Houston to cool off."

When my son-in-law served our country with the Army in Iraq, he  described the unbearable heat over there as,"Hades." He later was stationed in San Antonio. While on the River Walk on an August night, he found himself praying to go back to Iraq.  He was kidding, of course, but the Texas heat is definitely unbearable.  Our August weather makes us realize Hell is the place to stay out of.

And that brings me to a close.  The only way to the cool, place, heaven, is to admit you are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive. 

Do you have your place in heaven established?

I do. No temperature gages needed there. 








Wednesday, August 14, 2019

White Wheat


"The fields are white to harvest."  
Words of Jesus. John 4:35

I've read that verse all my life, but I'd never seen actual fields of white wheat.  On a recent trip to the US state of Organ, I saw them. Zillions of acres of white wheat, and they looked much like these in the picture above. They appeared more golden to me than white, but the grain is known as white wheat. 

In Jerusalem, the turrain is a bit different, but the wheat looks the same.


Here's a picture such as Jesus saw. 
Here's the blog where you will find it. You'll also read a wonderful explanation of the analogy.

When Jesus spoke those words, he was giving an analogy. Like the mulitite of fields waiting to be gathered, people are ready and waiting to know about Him.

Some wheat fields will not be harvested. Perhaps the farmer is sick. Maybe weather ruined them. It might be that the equipment broke down. On the other hand, perchance the worker doesn't know how to collect the wheat. Of course, he might be merely lazy.

I think it's the same with followers. Numerous crops will yield new disciples. These new followers are to become farmers to the wheat.

If you are a Christian, what kind of farmer are you?  Which kind am I?

Those white fields can't wait. They need us.




Thursday, August 8, 2019

If You Wrote the Ending






This book is one of my favorites. I'm in love with Marshall, the pastor in this story. He's a baseball jock and macho handsome. He's doing his best to come to terms with his anger over the death of his wife and son.

I'm also in love with Sam. Like Marshall, he's tall and handsome. He's a good ole southern man from Georgia.  He and his daughter, KC, are experiencing challenges. Sam understands forgiveness. He loves Rebecca and wants a mom for KC.

Rebecca is an independent woman in the year 1975. During those days, women fought for rights, and Rebecca had the freedom of a good profession. Many women didn't during those years, but Rebecca needs to forgive her family for what they did to her. 

As I wrote the book, I wasn't sure who I'd have Rebecca marry. Sam or Marshall. Like Rebecca, I loved them both in different ways. They are good men and would make a wife happy. I changed the ending several times before publication.


Which one did you want Rebecca to marry? I'd love to hear from you.



Sunday, August 4, 2019

Whisper Your Secret. It's Safe.


If you are listening, would you tell the secret given to you?

I keep secrets.

HOWEVER

If your life is in danger, I'll reveal the secret to help you.

Otherwise, no, I'll keep it forever.

When would you tell?


Saturday, August 3, 2019

Family Secrets


An author loves to get books, especially ones she's written!  Yay!  Here are my Family Secrets! 

This book is one of my favorites. I'm in love with Marshall, the pastor in this story. He's doing his best to come to terms with his anger toward God for taking away his family. Rebecca is an independent woman in the year 1975. During those days, women fought for rights, and Rebecca had the freedom of a good profession. Many women didn't during those years, but Rebecca needs to forgive her family for what they did to her. Sam, and his daughter, KC, are experiencing challenges. Sam understands forgivness. As I wrote the book, I wasn't sure who I'd have Rebecca marry. Sam or Marshall. Like Rebecca, I loved them both in different ways. They are good men and would make a wife happy. I changed the ending several times before publication.

Please read it and tell me who you loved best. Sam or Marshall?  I know you'll love KC, the precious five year old girl.


PBG Insider: Gay N. Lewis Introduces her "Sarah" series

Sarah at Christmas